FRENCH HOSTAGES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 48, 26 February 1942, Page 4

FRENCH HOSTAGES

EYE-WITNESS ACCOUNT OF

EXECUTIONS

LONDON, February 23

The latest issue of the underground newspaper "Liberation," contains an eye-witness account of an execution of French hostages at Nantes, reports the British United Press correspondent on the French frontier.

"Fifty victims were led to a quarry at daAvn," the paper says. "They were massed against a wall and a machinegun opened fire. In a few seconds all were dead. Those executed included old men, cripples, and two youths, aged 17. The bodies Avere later carted aAvay in lorries -which left trails of blood. Next day thousands of mourners covered with flowers the blood-stained stones at the foot of the quarry wall. The Germans published the names of 48 victims, including M. Jost, president of the National Union of Communists. Tavo names were not revealed. They are believed to be those of women."

"Liberation" also gives details of mass executions in prisons. It says that a German officer admitted that "they die with extraordinary courage, singing hymns and saluting their country."

Though possession of "Liberation" involves imprisonment, and the printing and distribution of it mean almost certain death, the newspaper circulates throughout occupied and unoccupied France. It has organised, many resistance groups in readiness for future a Jion against the Germans.